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John 3:13-17 is a part of Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus and is one of the texts that proclaim the relationship of between Christian faith, eternal life and the significance of the Cross to both. Below is an illustration of the text as it appears in the Revised Standard Version. Click on it for a larger view.

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We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee,
for by thy cross thou hast redeemed the world.

One may wonder, why do we give so much honour to the Holy Cross. Over and above being the symbol of Christianity, the Holy Cross brings to light many fundamental truths that are being taught by the Holy Catholic Church.

First of all, the Lord Jesus in who the fullness of God was pleased to dwell bodily [Col. 1:19, 2:9] did not regard Himself equal with God during the incarnation. Setting aside His infinite power, He took upon Himself the human nature and humbled Himself in full obedience to the heavenly Father, even to His death on the Cross.

Through His perfect sacrifice as the Lamb of God, He was exalted and given the Most Holy Name that is above all names so that at the Name of Jesus, every knee should bend in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth, that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Because of this, the Holy Cross is the symbol of Divine Love. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.

The Holy Cross is the symbol of salvation. Through Jesus Christ and the Sacrament of Baptism, those who believe in Him and obey His teachings, they will enjoy eternal life in the Kingdom of God. The Holy Cross is the symbol of Divine compassion. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but in order that the world may be saved through Jesus. (From CatholicDoors)